Casework Success Stories

Chris Smith is the reliable first call for individual constituents experiencing a wide range of problems and difficulties. He and his staff leave no stone unturned in their efforts to advocate passionately, consistently and privately (unless otherwise requested) for the best possible outcome.

To date, Chris and his staff have intervened directly in more than 80,000 individual casework problems that his constituents have experienced with federal, state or local government agencies.

Occasionally, these interventions make headlines—David Goldman’s fight to reclaim his son from a child abductor in Brazil; the successful return of the young NJ girls trapped behind enemy lines in the midst of fighting in the former Soviet state of Georgia; or the garnering of appropriate recognition, compensation and benefits for a hero disabled in war.

However, most of the time Chris’ interventions are known only to those who benefit from them. Here are just a few excerpts from his nationally-recognized record of successful constituent service.

HAMILTON — Congressman Chris Smith of Hamilton yesterday said he’s “cautiously optimistic” that a Brazilian appeals court today will make a ruling calling for “kidnapped” 9-year-old Jersey boy Sean Goldman to finally be returned to his American dad in Monmouth County after suffering five years of “child abuse” in that South American nation.

Click here to read parts of a news report: Will it be a 'Chrismith miracle'? NJ dad prays Brazil will return his son

Will it be a ‘Chrismith miracle’? NJ dad prays Brazil will return his son

By SULAIMAN ABDUR-RAHMAN – Staff Writer – POSTED: 12/16/09

HAMILTON — Congressman Chris Smith of Hamilton yesterday said he’s “cautiously optimistic” that a Brazilian appeals court today will make a ruling calling for “kidnapped” 9-year-old Jersey boy Sean Goldman to finally be returned to his American dad in Monmouth County after suffering five years of “child abuse” in that South American nation.

“For Sean’s emotional and psychological help, he should be in a plane this week with his in Tinton Falls,” Smith told The Trentonian last night from Washington, D.C. Smith throughout 2009 has fought alongside the boy’s biological father, David Goldman, to help him win custody of Sean.

Rep. Smith Constituent Service Office Helps World War II Vet Get Purple Heart, 60 Years Later

Col. Gina Grosso, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst commander, and Congressman Chris Smith presented Watson with the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained more than 66 years ago after a German air raid on his encampment near Naples, Italy.

Click here to read about Rep. Smith’s successful intervention in the case in more detail: Tuskegee Airman receives Purple Heart after 66 years

Col. Gina Grosso, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst commander, and Congressman Chris Smith presented Watson with the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained more than 66 years ago after a German air raid on his encampment near Naples, Italy.

“When he was wounded, Mr. Watson did not want to report his injuries, fearful he would be hospitalized and not be allowed to continue with his unit,” said Wilfred DeFour, a former Tuskegee Airman and close friend of Watson.

Watson brought his case to Smith in 1999. The congressman was able to help.

“The medical board amended its records 11 years later, documenting the true cause of Watson’s injury. His Purple Heart medal was approved in November 2009.

Rep. Smith Travels to War-Torn Georgia to Assist Trapped Howell Girls

Two little girls from Monmouth County were reunited with their father today and could be returning home within a few days after being trapped by violence in the Republic of Georgia for two weeks…

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) who went to Tbilisi to orchestrate the girls’ return, said Joseph Evans was struggling to get the girls’ airline tickets home changed and might need more diplomatic help to do that. The earliest they might be able to leave is Saturday, Smith said.

Read excerpts from a news report about his efforts to bring the Evans girls back to the U.S.: N.J. sisters trapped in Georgia reach U.S. Embassy

N.J. sisters trapped in Georgia reach U.S. Embassy

Two little girls from Monmouth County were reunited with their father today and could be returning home within a few days after being trapped by violence in the Republic of Georgia for two weeks.

Ashley and Sophia Evans arrived at the U.S. Embassy in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi after a six-hour ride in a vehicle with French Ambassador Eric Fournier. There, they met their father, who had flown to Tbilisi, and also got McDonald’s Happy Meals and cake.

The girls’ father, Joseph Evans said they’ll be back home in Howell — and reunited with their Georgian-born mother, Tea-h — within a few days.

“U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) who went to Tbilisi to orchestrate the girls’ return, said Joseph Evans was struggling to get the girls’ airline tickets home changed and might need more diplomatic help to do that. The earliest they might be able to leave is Saturday, Smith said.

Smith helps honor Manchester veteran 70 years after injury

PLUMSTED – Nearly 70 years after shrapnel tore into the right fingers and hand of Leonard “Lenny” Brotzky in a 2 a.m. shelling of his artillery unit during the Battle of the Bulge, the 89-year-old Manchester resident finally received his Purple Heart.

The reason for the decades-long delay was because Brotzky’s discharge papers lacked details of his injuries, said Congressman Chris Smith. The congressman’s staff spent 11 years working to locate the necessary paperwork needed to prove Brotzky’s story. On Thursday, Smith was finally able to deliver the Purple Heart to the veteran inside his New Egypt office.

Read excerpts from a news report about his efforts to bring the recognize Mr. & Mrs. Brotzky’s service: Manchester veteran honored 70 years after injury

PLUMSTED – Nearly 70 years after shrapnel tore into the right fingers and hand of Leonard “Lenny” Brotzky in a 2 a.m. shelling of his artillery unit during the Battle of the Bulge, the 89-year-old Manchester resident finally received his Purple Heart.

Much has changed since Brotzky served at a Technician-5 in the Army’s 36th Division 155th Field Artillery unit in World War II. But he still remembers how the shrapnel pierced his hand and arm when mortar shells hit his jeep in the early morning attack of World War II’s pivotal European battle. He still remembers the cold of the battle field — temperatures so frigid that he suffered severe frostbite on his feet from sleeping outside.

“I woke up and I couldn’t move my legs,” he recalled. But “I was lucky.”

Other soldiers had their feet amputated because of the frostbite, but Brotzky managed to keep his feet and toes, he said.

It took 70 years before Brotzky — who now lives with his wife in Leisure Village West in Manchester — was awarded the Purple Heart, an honor bestowed on military men and women wounded during combat. The reason for the decades-long delay was because Brotzky’s discharge papers lacked details of his injuries, said Congressman Chris Smith. The congressman’s staff spent 11 years working to locate the necessary paperwork needed to prove Brotzky’s story. On Thursday, Smith was finally able to deliver the Purple Heart to the veteran inside his New Egypt office.

“I think he well deserves it, and I’m very proud,” said Brotzky’s wife Rose, who attributed her husband’s survival to his experience as a Boy Scout.

Rose, 92, was also honored by Smith. The congressman gave her a flag that had flown over the capitol building in Washington D.C. to recognize her World War II service in the Marines Reserves Fourth Battalion.